Ouroboros is a persistent virtual world for game research. The Zero-Game Studio is developing the Ouroboros world both to demonstrate its own research and to provide a general facility for game researchers.
Player Characterisation and Narrative
Ouroboros is a dramatic role playing game set in a mythical Gotlandic scenario. Gameplay emphasises dramatic interaction, with player characters having a broad repertoire of dramatic actions available to them modified by the state of character and narrative development.
Different iterations of the Ouroboros system test different approaches to player characterisation and narrative in virtual worlds, while creating an expanding world setting and an increasing variety of available characters over time. Specific Ouroboros experiments range from fixed duration, limited player role playing events to more or less persistent worlds in which narrative coplexity may continue to evolve.
Open Source Software
The Ouroboros project is being developed according to Open Source and Freeware principles. The project in general is open in the sense that we hope the world itself will be a playable, on-line game research world.
While our own research is focused upon specific game areas and characters, we invite other developers, researchers etc. to develop additional world zones, game characters, game logic modules etc. for demonstrating and testing different approaches to game play and characterisation.
Cultural Value and Quality in Computer Games
We hope to encourage the development of emergent social formations within the virtual world, and the creation and expression of multiple cultures, values and aesthetics in different zones having their own game logic, languages, visual styles, story forms, architecture and landscapes.
Ouroboros will address the cultural value and quality of computer games, seeking the values of poetry, literature and art, as well as the game staples of violence and conflict.
Initial concept art for Ouroboros.
